Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli among the EU ministers attending an international conference on the emancipation of LGBT persons.

For the first time this year Malta will be officially commemorating the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. According to Dalli, this day will continue to be commemorated annually.

Ministers from a number of EU Member States today signed a joint declaration calling on the European Commission to adopt a comprehensive policy approach on the European level on LGBT issues, namely on combating discrimination and violence in all spheres of life.

The conference, hosted by the Dutch government, is being held at The Hague on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), commemorated tomorrow.

Ministers are discussing international developments involving the discrimination and the emancipation of gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The call is also the first step in which a number of Member States jointly expressed their willingness to work together on LGBT policies and ask for guidance on this matter from the European Commission.

"EU action is necessary to coordinate and promote efforts at the EU level and share good practice, and to support efforts at the national level in order to make progress towards a Europe free from homophobia and transphobia," the declaration states.

"Taking action to prevent discrimination and providing remedies can make a difference not only for the millions of LGBT citizens in Europe, but for all."

Minister Dalli said that the policy-makers and politicians are bound to set the policy and legislate against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against LGBT people.

"This has to be in parallel with more education from the early years of a person's life," she said, adding that government was committed towards a fair society where everyone enjoys equal rights.

During her visit, Dalli took the opportunity to tour the Hofstad Lyceum where she met students and educators. This college is renowned for embracing diversity both in its education curriculum as well as in the school environment.

Dalli also held talks with a delegation of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) in Europe.

Maltese Gender Identity Law [Transgender / Intersex]

Civil Unions Parliamentary Debate and Vote

Note: The Civil Unions Bill [20/2014] has successfully passed through the Maltese Parliament with 37 votes in favour, 30 absentions and 0 votes against on the 14th April 2014. It gives the same rights and obbligations to same-sex couples as those who are registered in a civil marriage (mutatis mutandis).